Credit Cards Types

There are many credit card issuers in India that offer different types of credit cards, having different sets of features. Usually, card issuers tend to classify their credit card offerings into different categories based on the features on offer.

 

Some of the most common credit card categories you can find include: 

• Rewards cards

• Cashback cards

• Credit-building cards 

• Low-interest and balance transfer cards

 

Furthermore, credit cards may also be classified based on the nature of rewards, such as: 

• Travel cards

• Fuel cards

• Entertainment cards

• Shopping cards 

• Lifestyle cards

 

If you have made up your mind and are ready to apply for a credit card, you need to know the different types of credit cards available in the market. This will help you make a more informed decision and choose a card that proves to be most rewarding for you. 

Here’s a brief overview of a few of the most common credit card types in India. 

1. Travel Credit Card

You may find travel credit cards to be most rewarding if you are a frequent traveller. These cards offer the following benefits:

• Some travel cards offer air miles on travel transactions made with the card

• These cards also provide rewards on all spending, which can be redeemed for booking flights and hotels

• You can also use these points to purchase holiday packages or fund any other travel expense

• These cards also offer other travel-related perks, including complimentary access to airport lounges and travel insurance 

 

Some of the best travel credit cards in India include:

• Axis Bank Vistara Signature

• 6E Rewards XL -IndiGo HDFC Bank credit card

 

2. Fuel Credit Card

Fuel credit cards offer cashback, discounts, and rewards on fuel spending. You can use this card in the following ways to maximise your rewards. 

• You can redeem the reward points earned from purchases made through this card for fuel at gas stations 

• They also offer fuel surcharge waivers to lower your fuel expenses further 

• Many issuers have collaborated with major fuel brands to roll out highly-lucrative offers on these cards, such as providing accelerated reward points 

 

Some of the best fuel credit cards in India include: 

• BPCL SBI Octane credit card

• IndianOil Axis Bank credit card

 

3. Rewards Credit Card

A rewards credit card is a type of credit card that offers reward points on every minimum spend. The following are some of the features of rewards credit cards:

• This minimum spend cap varies depending on your card issuer and the spend category

• You can choose a range of benefits from a rewards catalogue for air miles, vouchers, merchandise, etc. 

 

Some of the best rewards credit cards in India include:

• Citibank Rewards credit card

• Standard Chartered Platinum Rewards credit card

 

4. Secured Credit Card

Secured credit cards are issued against fixed deposits. Here are some of the notable features of these types of cards: 

• The credit limit on these cards is determined based on your fixed deposit amount

• These cards are best for those who have a poor credit history or no repayment history at all

 

Some of the best secured credit cards in India include: 

• SBI Unnati credit card

• Axis Bank Insta Easy credit card

 

5. Business Credit Card

A business credit card is a type of credit card offered to business owners for work-related expenses and the following benefits:

• They come with a high credit limit, longer interest-free credit periods, accelerated cashback on business-related spends, etc.

• These cards also help fund and manage business expenditures by closing and tracking expenses and cash flows

• They also bring a host of business-related perks like a cash advance facility, hotel and travel benefits, and insurance covers 

 

Some of the best business credit cards in India include:

• SBI Platinum Corporate credit card

• HDFC Business MoneyBack credit card

 

6. Student Credit Card

Student credit cards are beginner cards offered to college students with a limited credit history. Here are some of the features and perks card users enjoy:

• Students above the age of 18 years can apply for these cards with minimum documentation 

• While student cards offer perks like Interest-free periods, reward points, and discounts, they also come with a limited credit limit 

• Student credit cards aid in making college-goers financially responsible and help them build a credit history

 

Some of the best student credit cards in India include:

• Kotak 811 credit card

• SBI Student Plus Advantage credit card

7. Cashback Credit Card

Cashback credit cards offer a certain percentage of your spending as cashback rewards. This usually varies from 5%-20% depending on the spending category. The following are some of the features of these cards: 

• Cashback can be earned when you spend on bill payments, groceries, retail purchases, etc. 

• Some of these cards offer a flat rate for all spends, while others offer an accelerated rate for preferential categories like travel or dining 

• These rewards can be availed as direct cashback or as statement credits 

 

Some of the best cashback credit cards in India are:

• Flipkart Axis Bank credit card

• HDFC Millenia credit card

 

8. Lifestyle Credit Card

These cards are packed with a range of lifestyle benefits like reward points, cashback, and discounts. Here are some notable characteristics of lifestyle credit cards:

• You can earn reward points for specific categories like shopping, dining, movie tickets and travel

• Some cards also offer premium benefits like golf lessons, VIP airport lounge access, concierge services, etc. 

 

Some of the best lifestyle credit cards in India include:

• Axis Bank Privilege credit card

• HDFC Diners Club Black credit card

9. Entertainment Credit Card

An entertainment credit card is a type of credit card that brings rewards, offers, and discounts on entertainment-related expenses like booking movie tickets. Here are some of its features:

• Some entertainment cards may be co-branded, offering merchant-specific discounts on entertainment spends, while others offer rewards across merchants 

• Common perks include complimentary monthly movie tickets, accelerated rewards on spends at partner dining outlets, and movie ticket welcome vouchers

 

Some of the best entertainment credit cards in India include:

• HDFC Titanium Times credit card

• Kotak PVR Gold credit card

 

10. Shopping Credit Card

Shopping credit cards bring accelerated reward points on online and offline purchases of apparel, groceries, electronics, gadgets, etc. The following are some of its features: 

• Most shopping credit cards are co-branded cards that offer rewards, cashback, and discounts at partner stores and websites apart from flat rewards on other merchant spends 

• The best shopping credit cards offer an easy EMI conversion facility when product costs exceed a certain threshold 

 

Some of the best shopping credit cards in India include: 

• Flipkart Axis Bank credit card

• Amazon Pay ICICI Bank credit card